Why do so many women wear makeup, dress themselves attractively, do their hair up, etc.?

Question

Who are they trying to impress? If a woman does not want to be looked upon as objects of a man's sexual desires, why do so many show their breasts in low cut blouses, etc? And why would a feminist EVER dress in any way but saggy baggies and 'just woke up' hair and makeup? Surely they would never want to impress or attract a MAN? (BTW I am a woman)

Answer 1

"Surely they would never want to impress or attract a MAN?"

Yet another sheep who assumes that to be feminist means you have to be a lesbian or asexual.

Who are they trying to impress? some are trying to impress men and attract empty sexual attention by wearing short shorts and other such things, but not all. Some of us simply feel good about ourselves by taking pride in our appearance, they same way you get a nice clean feeling after a shower, a little make-up and a nice outfit has an affect on our confidence. Also, we are women, we are creatures of expression, and one way we can express ourselves is through fashion.

"And why would a feminist EVER dress in any way but saggy baggies and 'just woke up' hair and makeup?"

Becuase she wants to dress well for HERSELF, also to be seen as attractive to a man/woman who she in turn finds attractive. Appearance says alot about a persons pride in themself. someone in "saggy baggies" sends the same message as a woman in short shorts and heels, LOW SELF CONFIDENCE

Answer 2

All women want to exhibit beauty in one way or another. It's a part of their wonderful femininity.

It's not limited to makeup and clothes either. Some don't care about that at all. But I believe that all women have a desire to exhibit beauty in some way. Women enjoy fixing up the home and decorating for parties and holidays. Women watch HGTV more than men. Men are more about how functional something is. Women are more about how it looks. And that is why Architecture is largely male dominated and interior design is largely female dominated.

Women make the world more beautiful. God bless them.

Answer 3

im totally low maintenance but when i take the time to do my hair and put on makeup 1) to express myself creatively 2) i look refreshed and young & 3) because i look fresh i put on a better more confident outward appearance.....some women accomplish this totally on their own and thats fantastic but some of us just need a little something more. Hey i have fantastic breasts and i hate my butt so when i get dressed guess where i accentuate...ding ding upstairs is correct. There are women who dress everday with the intent on "catching a man" but i dont think thats everyone's reason....i think most of us just want to be able to express who we are and be the best women we can & if that commands a little hair & makeup time then go with it. I was raised in a matriachal family (my mom & grandmother both single mothers) and know that women are on the same plane as men & equality is still something that alludes our society. i just dont think i have to dress sloppy to think that way

Answer 4

It's an interesting split, isn't it? Even today, when we have the right and the opportunity to provide for ourselves, we still feel a need to foster the virtues that have provided for women in the past- beauty, sweetness, a reputation for sexual virtue/purity, etc.- all those things that are supposed to get us a man that will provide for us.

I think, deep down, we are trying to impress potential mates, keep our present mates happy and line up other mates in case something happens to our present one, and intimidate other women so they will not try to steal our mate. Is it in our genes, somehow incorporated in our biology? Does our society still send us these messages?

I know few women who are able to resist this- what should I call it- compulsion? Nor do I know many men who are able to resist their own- fostering those virtues they think will get them a desirable mate (or in some cases, mates)- usually examples of being a good provider such as career success, physical strength, mastering what they do, etc. And nowadays also physical appearance.

Answer 5

I will speak only about myself and how I feel about me wearing makeup, nice clothes and doing my hair. I do not consider myself a feminist, but a humanist. Men and women are equal in my eyes and the word "feminist" implies women's superiority, which I disagree with. I like to wear makeup, do my hair and wear nice clothes. Sometimes my clothes show off my assets. Sometimes I do this to attract attention from others, be they men or women. Mostly, I do this because I enjoy it, and I like how I look. I don't care if men look at me as sex objects. They will look at me as they please anyway. So let them look. Yet, if they try to touch and I don't want them to, then they'll have another thing coming. Looking is completely harmless, so they're free to do so in my opinion.

Answer 6

first of all, if a woman wears a low cut top and daisy duke shorts i would not agree with it but it is her choice.what you said about a women who dresses like that are looked upon as a man sexual desire in my opinion is wrong to say. woman have the choice to wear anything they choose,that does not give the man the right to take her just because she is desirable in those clothes.now as for a feminist that is a whole other story.

Answer 7

It's the popular culture. It is expected of women to look a certain way and when they dont', ie baggy clothes and no makeup, instead of being taken seriously as modest adult women, they are accused of being man hating lesbians.

Answer 8

As far as I know, men don't dress up in "saggy baggies" and "just woke up" hair either. At least the ones who have jobs don't!

Answer 9

If women were being honest, they really do like being an object of a man's sexual desire. It's natural to feel that way. They don't want to be disrespected or treated badly, but it's so nice to be noticed and flattered to have men think you're appealing. That's why women work so hard to fix themselves up.

Answer 10

why does being a feminist preclude my wanting to attract men. why cant i be a feminist and hetrosexual. does it also follow that a man who dresses to attract is somehow not masculine. i know that i am equal to any man and as an equal i am just as likely to proposition him as vice versa. as an equal i expect to share work in either the home or the workplace equally. i do want to be seen as on object to be desired and i do want to be found attractive by men. this does not remove my desire to also be treated as an intelligent thinking woman with the ability to equal any man with an intellect similar to mine. silly question.